Discharger for pyrotechnic cartridges



Patented Oct. 20, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISCHARGER FOR, PYROTECHNIC CARTRIDGES (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) V 4 Claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of any royalty thereon.

This invention relates to a discharger for pyrotechnic cartridges and the like.

The purpose of the invention is to provide a simple and rugged discharger having a fully housed firing mechanism and an actuator which conforms to the shape of the barrel and may be comfortably included in the grasp of an operator.

The specific nature of the invention as well as other objects and advantages thereof will clearly appear from a description of a preferred embodiment as shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional View of the improved discharger with the parts in cocked position;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawing by characters of reference there is shown a barrel 5 having its rear end closed by a breech plug 6 which extends into the barrel and is threaded thereto. The plug is formed with an annular flange l which projects laterally of the barrel and forms a stop for a sleeve 8 which is slidably mounted on the barrel. The forward movement of the sleeve is limited by a stop which is conveniently in the form of a ring 9 fitting in a groove H1 in the barrel.

The front or inner portion of the breech plug is formed centrally with a recess I I for threadedly receiving a nipple l2 which rests on the floor of the recess and which has a conical end l3 extending into the chamber of the barrel for centering a cartridge (not shown). The nipple houses a firing pin M which has a longitudinally extending groove I5 for permitting escape of trapped air.

The rear portion of the barrel is formed with a diametral transverse slot IE which is in communication with the recess II. A hammer l1 housed in the slot is supported on an insert I 8 which is fitted into the slot and is shaped to allow for movement of the hammer. A cap l9 fitting over the breech plug retains the insert and provides a base for resting the discharger on the ground or other relatively stationary object.

The hammer is formed intermediate its ends with an arcuate surface 20 engaging the floor 2| of the slot l6 and also with an oppositely positioned arcuate surface 22 seated on the insert 18. One end 23 of the hammer is disposed in line with the firing pin l4 while the other end 24 is forwardly curved and projects through an aperture 25 in the flange l of the breech plug. The fulcrum of the hammer is so related to its length as to provide a long inner arm 25 whereby the hammer Will be normally in retracted or cooked position due to its weight with its outer arm or end 24 advanced into position to be struck by the sleeve.

In operation, with a cartridge dropped into the muzzle of the barrel and resting on the breech plug, the sleeve is grasped and moved rearwardly against the flange to actuate the hammer.

I claim:

1. A barrel, a breech plug closing one end of the barrel and having an annular flange extending laterally of the barrel, said breech plug having a diametral slot, a hammer housed in the slot and having an outer end extending through the flange on the breech plug, an insert in the slot supporting the hammer, a cap on the breceh plug, and a sleeve slidably mounted on the barrel and coaxial therewith, said sleeve being movable against the flange to strike the outer end of the hammer.

2. A barrel, a breech plug closing one end of the barrel and having an annular flange extend ing laterally of the barrel, said breech plug having a diametral slot, an insert in the slot, a hammer housed in the slot and fulcrumed on the breech plug and the insert, said hammer having an outer end extending through the flange on the breech plug, and a sleeve slidably mounted on the barrel and coaxial therewith, said sleeve being movable against the flange to strike the outer end of the hammer.

3. A barrel, a breech plug closing one end of the barrel, a firing pin mounted in the breech plug, a hammer housed in the breech plug and fulcrumed near the periphery thereof to provide a gravity retractable inner arm, said hammer having an outer arm projectable from the breech plug, and a sleeve slidably mounted on the barrel and coaxial therewith, said sleeve being movable to strike the outer arm of the hammer.

4. A barrel, a breech plug closing one end of the barrel, a firing pin mounted in the breech plug, a hammer housed in the breech plug and having a projecting outer end, and a sleeve slidably mounted on the barrel and coaxial therewith, said sleeve being movable to strike the outer end of the hammer.

JOHN C. GARAND. 

